Ender’s Game Study Guide

Chapters 5-8 (Pg. 37- Pg 119)

CHAPTER 5 – GAMES (pg. 37-53)

1.  Ender works hard to express his feelings in private and not show homesickness in front of any other person. Is it healthy for him or not? What is positive and what is negative about showing feelings? What is positive and what is negative about not showing feelings?

2.  How did Ender beat Bernard? Is this an unusual solution to his problem?

3.  List the different coping mechanisms (ways of dealing with difficulties) Ender shows. For each one describe whether the overall result of each is helpful or harmful to Ender.

Write a paragraph about a time you learned from another person’s mistake.

CHAPTER 6 – THE GIANT’S DRINK (pg. 54-65)

Chapter 6 Vocabulary: Amplifying, grisly, orientation, sluggish, sullen

1.  What is the purpose of the "Giant's" Game? How should Ender evaluate his success at this game? Is he a murderer?

2.  Prediction: Will Alai become one of Ender’s allies? What do you think? Why?

CHAPTER 7 – SALAMANDER (pg. 66-96)

Chapter 7 Vocabulary: Insubstantial, grossly, obscurity, plummeted, jeering, magnanimous, abjectly

1.  What did Alai say to Ender? Why is the exchange between Alai and Ender so important?

2.  What is the "just living" mentioned in this chapter? Is it true that Ender has never done this? What does Ender want out of life? How would you feel if you were he?

3.  Ender’s game at the playground turns vicious. Do you think the children/wolves are symbols of new army he will join or a fight against the buggers? Explain your answer. (*hint, look at pg 71-73).

4.  How did Petra help Ender? How is Petra’s friendship a hindrance to Ender?

5.  What is the difference in Bonzo’s “hot” anger and Ender’s “cold” anger? Do you know pople who have these two types of anger? How do they behave? (* hint, look at pg. 87)

6.  Why did Ender obey orders in one battle and disobey them the next time? (*hint, look at pgs 90-92)

7.  Prediction: Will Ender be happier in Rat Army? Why or why not?

Ender believes that “everything of value” is “in the school computer or his own head and hands” (pg. 96). Write a short response about things you value and where you go to find them.

Introduction with Thesis:

Body Paragraph #1:

Body Paragraph #2:

Body Paragraph #3:

Conclusion:

CHAPTER 8 – RAT (pg. 97-117)

Chapter 8 Vocabulary: compromised, methodically, blissful, confiscated, ridiculed, haphazardly, entangled, mockery, converging

1.  Graff says, “Ender Wiggin is ten times smarter and stronger than I am.” Explain what this quote means.

2.  What is significant about the quote: “So teach me.” “So learn.”

3.  Why is Ender’s response to an attack so significant?

4.  What did the scene with the snake and Peter’s reflection represent?

5.  How does the game know?

6.  Discuss the importance of the last paragraph of this chapter.

7.  Prediction: Will the adults allow Ender to make up his own army from those who practice with him? What do you think? Why?

Pretend you are Ender and write a letter home to Valentine. What type of questions would you ask her? Would you tell her that she is the reason you went to Battle School?

Dear Valentine,